Task A
1.
Outline the concept and aim as well as the proceedings of the global Climate Audit.
(Comprehension) (12 Punkte)
2.
Analyze how Bill’s state of mind is presented. Focus on point of view and use of language.
(Analysis) (16 Punkte)
3.
Choose one of the following tasks:
3.1
With regard to the severe consequences of the climate crisis, comment on the question whether a state should be allowed to regulate individual lifestyles on the way towards more sustainability.
(Evaluation: comment) (14 Punkte)
3.2
After completing the questionnaire, Bill leaves the house and takes a walk to think about his situation. He reflects on the audit and the consequences it might have for himself and his family. Write his interior monologue.
(Evaluation: re-creation of text) (14 Punkte)
Rachel May
The Audit
The short story is set in North America in the near future.
1
“Dad! You’ve got to come. We got the Audit.” The boy’s normally high voice took on a
2
husky rasp as he pronounced the last words.
3
“An audit? You make it sound like a fatal illness,” Bill responded to his anxiety-prone son
4
with a practiced calmness, as David grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards the
5
house. “Relax, Davey. It’s not that big a deal. Our taxes are all in order.” [...]
6
As soon as they entered the house, Bill felt David’s hand tighten and his shoulders stiffen.
7
Bill’s wife Laurie was standing at the computer in the family room, biting her lip, while
8
their daughter Jess looked on with an inscrutable expression.
9
“C’mon, everybody. It’s just an audit, right?” Bill tried the soothing tone again. “What’s
10
the big deal? We’re as likely to get taxes back as to owe them.”
11
“It’s not a tax audit, honey. It’s the new one.” Laurie’s voice had a touch of the same husky
12
terror he had heard from David.
13
“Yeah, Dad. You know, the GCA?” Jess added, with the practiced superiority of a 14-year-old.
14
“GCA?”
15
David’s voice rose to a squeak. “I heard they take your house and car and everything!”
16
Laurie came over to give David a hug while Bill sat down, bewildered, at the computer.
17
“Now I’m sure it’s not that bad. Let me take a look.” He was embarrassed to admit he hadn’t
18
heard of the GCA, when even his fifth-grader seemed to know all about it.
19
Big yellow letters on a dark blue screen spelled out GLOBAL CLIMATE AUDIT. Every effort
20
to surf away from the page resulted in the same message: “You have been selected for the
21
GCA. Internet service will be restored after you complete your climate footprint calculation.”
22
“You have to do it, Dad. It’s international law.” Jess said. [...]
23
It didn’t give Bill much confidence as he stared at the Climate Footprint Calculator on the
24
screen. It was essentially a detailed inventory of their daily habits. The GCA already had a
25
surprising wealth of information about them: the amount of gas they bought each week for
26
the SUV, how many BTUs it took to heat and cool their six-bedroom house, how much hot
27
water they used, even what percentage of strawberries they bought came from Chile. At one
28
point he called his credit card company to complain that this outfit had hacked into his records.
29
“No worries, sir. That’s the GCA. They have treaty rights to that information. It will not be
30
used for any purpose other than calculating your carbon overdraft.”
31
Overdraft. That sounded ominous. Bill finished the online questionnaire. Shortly after he hit
32
SEND, a graphic appeared showing three round pictures of Earth and an additional wedge
33
with most of the Americas. The caption read:
34
“Your carbon footprint is 3.4 times the acceptable global mean. If everyone generated
35
your level of greenhouse gases, 3.4 planet Earths would be required to accommodate the
36
emissions. The terms of the Global Climate Accord require that you reduce your
37
footprint as follows...”
38
They were giving the family a year to get the number down below three, and two more years
39
to get it to one, on penalty of severe fines. Bill had two weeks to present the GCA with a
40
plan. [...]
41
Bill didn’t think he could blithely hit “ACCEPT” the way he did whenever iTunes updated
42
its terms of service. This GCA was deep in his credit card data and might have the power to
43
hold him to it. He called Laurie’s sister, who was a lawyer.
44
“Sorry, Bill. The GCA is the real deal. The US and every other nation on Earth signed an
45
agreement this year to enforce its terms. I can’t believe you hadn’t heard about it. World
46
leaders have been trying to pass a global climate policy framework for decades, but the best
47
the cowards could do was shift the burden from governments onto individuals. People all
48
around the world are getting audited, and credit card companies and utilities are obligated
49
to furnish quantitative information about their consumption patterns.”
50
“Tell me about it. It’s as if they had informers everywhere—our gas tank, our fridge, probably
51
my underwear drawer. So you’re saying I should accept the terms?”
52
“I don’t think you have a choice. There’s some fine print you can read at the website that
53
may give you a way around their requirements, but they tried to make this treaty have teeth.”
54
So Bill went ahead and nervously clicked the fateful button. It was a relief to see his browser
55
pop up as if nothing had happened. Except that in one corner there hovered a blue box with
56
yellow letters, which periodically flashed a message, saying “You have 14 days remaining
57
to complete your climate action plan.”
Rachel May, The Audit, in: Mary Woodbury, Winds Of Change: Short Stories About Our Climate, Coquitlam, British Columbia: Moon Willow Press 2015, S. 42 – 44
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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.
Proceeding
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.
1.
The short story "The Audit" by Rachel May (2015) is a short story set in North America in the near future addressing the matter of climate change.
Introduction
- the story explores the concept of a Global Climate Audit (GCA), an international effort to assess and regulate individual carbon footprints in an attempt to combat climate change
- the aim of the GCA is to hold individuals accountable for their carbon emissions, encouraging them to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to the broader global effort to mitigate climate change
Main Body
Concept and Aim
Concept and Aim
- Bill finds the GCA website, and he and his family are prompted to complete the Climate Footprint Calculator
- the calculator requests detailed information about their daily habits and consumption patterns to assess their carbon footprint
- after completing the calculator, the family receives the results, indicating that their carbon footprint is significantly higher than the acceptable global mean
- the GCA imposes strict reduction targets on their carbon footprint, and they are given a limited time to present a plan to achieve these targets
Proceeding
2.
In "The Audit," Bill's state of mind is presented through the third-person limited point of view, allowing readers to gain insights into his thoughts, emotions, and reactions. The use of language further enhances the portrayal of Bill's anxiety and confusion as he navigates the unfamiliar territory of the Global Climate Audit (GCA).
Introduction
- the story employs a third-person limited perspective, mainly focusing on Bill's experiences and inner thoughts
- this narrative choice allows readers to immerse themselves in Bill's perspective, making him the central focal point of the story
- by staying close to Bill's consciousness, readers can empathize with his emotions and uncertainties, providing a more intimate understanding of his state of mind throughout the narrative
Main Body
Third-Person narration
Third-Person narration
- Anxious Tone
The story begins with an anxious tone as Bill's son, David, rushes to inform him about the audit. Words and phrases like "anxiety-prone," "husky terror," and "practiced superiority" illustrate the pervasive anxiety felt by Bill and his family regarding the GCA
- Uncertainty and Confusion
- Helplessness
- Introspection
Language and Emotion
- dialogue in the story plays a significant role in unveiling Bill's state of mind
- his conversations with family members, particularly his wife, Laurie, and his daughter, Jess, reveal his concern and uncertainty about the situation
- additionally, dialogue provides essential information about the GCA and how it affects individuals like Bill, contributing to the story's world-building and character development
Use of dialogues
- Overall, through the third-person limited point of view and skillful use of language, "The Audit" effectively presents Bill's state of mind as he grapples with the implications of the GCA
- His anxiety, confusion, and sense of helplessness are evident throughout the narrative, allowing readers to empathize with the challenges he faces in confronting this global climate audit
Conclusion
3.1
The question of whether a state should be allowed to regulate individual lifestyles on the path towards sustainability is a complex and contentious issue that touches on fundamental principles of governance, personal freedom, and environmental responsibility.
Introduction
- proponents argue that the severity of the climate crisis requires urgent and comprehensive action
- they believe that individual lifestyle choices such as energy use, transportation, and consumption patterns contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions
- government regulation is seen as a necessary measure to address these issues on a large scale
- that individuals alone may not voluntarily adopt sustainable practices, and that government intervention can level the playing field
- Government regulation can correct market failures by imposing costs on environmentally harmful practices and creating incentives for sustainable alternatives
- countries around the world have signed international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming
- government regulation is seen as a way for nations to fulfill their commitments under such agreements and work toward common goals
Main Body
Proponents of State Regulation
Proponents of State Regulation
- opponents of government regulation are concerned about infringement on individual liberty and privacy
- critics argue that government regulation could lead to bureaucratic inefficiency and unintended consequences
- overregulation could stifle innovation and market momentum and hinder the development of sustainable solutions
- potential economic impact of stringent government regulation
- drastic measures could harm businesses and lead to job losses, especially in industries dependent on fossil fuels
Critics of State Regulations
- addressing the climate crisis requires a balance between individual freedom and collective responsibility
- government regulation can be effective if it is thoughtfully designed and includes incentives, public education, and support for sustainable practices
- policies that encourage the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation can have a positive impact without overly restricting personal freedom
- it is essential to ensure that regulations are transparent, fair, and responsive to the concerns and needs of all stakeholders
Balancing Individual Freedom and Collective Responsibility
- ultimately, the climate crisis is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts at the international, national, and individual levels
- while government regulation can play a role in promoting sustainability, it is important to consider the broader context and explore different approaches to create a sustainable and equitable future for all
Conclusion
3.2
I can't believe this is happening. The Global Climate Audit... GCA. How did I not know about this before? How did it come to this? Replaying the scene in my mind—the urgency in David's voice, the tension in Laurie's face, and Jess's matter-of-fact explanation of what the GCA entails. The idea that my family's entire way of life could be upended by a seemingly innocuous online questionnaire is difficult to digest.
The words "Carbon footprint" echoing in my mind. Remembering the stark revelation on the computer screen, the numbers that pointed to their excessive contribution to greenhouse gases. "3.4 times the acceptable global mean... It's as if our existence is causing irreparable harm to the planet."
I thought, I was doing my part, I reflect bitterly. I recycle, use energy-efficient appliances, even plant a few trees in the backyard... But is that enough? Clearly not. Reducing our footprint... It sounds so simple, but what does it really mean? And the consequences if we fail... Severe fines? The thought of losing our home, our car, everything we've worked so hard for...
Reflecting the situation
With my mind racing through potential scenarios, I envision the strain on my family, the difficult choices they might have to make, and the looming uncertainty of their future. I can't let this happen. I won't let this happen.
Shifting my thoughts towards action. I need a plan, I tell myself. A real, actionable plan to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. I can't let my family suffer the consequences of my inaction. His mind starts churning, brainstorming ideas and possibilities. Knowing that the road ahead won't be easy, and yet determined to face the challenge head-on. I won't let the weight of this audit crush us. The sun begins its descent in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.
Consequences and call to action